Skechers To Pay $40M Over Shape-Ups Ads

One year ago, The U.S. FTC fined shoe manufacturer Skechers $40 Million over its ads for “Shape-Ups” shoes. The shoes were marketed as being able to help users lost weight and tone the muscles in their lower bodies. Skechers was banned from running the ads further and customers who bought the shoes could receive refunds from the FTC or join a class-action lawsuit against the shoe company.

“Skechers’ unfounded claims went beyond stronger and more toned muscles,” said David Vladeck, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “The company even made claims about weight loss and cardiovascular health. The FTC’s message, for Skechers and other national advertisers, is to shape up your substantiation or tone down your claims.”

This week, a federal judge approved the $40 million class-action settlement between Skechers and “Shape-Ups” customers. According to an Associated Press report on the lawsuit, more than 520,000 people can claim up to $80 for a pair of “Shape-Ups,” $84 for a pair of “Resistance Runner” shoes, $54 for a pair of “Podded Sole” shoes, and $40 for a pair of “Tone-Ups.” $5 million of the settlement was awarded to the lawyers in the case.

Skechers has denied that its ads are misleading and stated that it settled to avoid a drawn-out lawsuit. The company’s “Shape-Ups” ads featured celebrity endorsements from the likes of Brooke Burke and Kim Kardashian.

I bought a pair of those shoes from Massey’s. I called them and told them they were horrible shoes. The first time I put them on I was out in the kitchen taking dishes from the dishwasher and I nearly fell over backwards. They make a person unbalanced. I could not walk outside on any surface expect where it was paved or was sidewalk. If I tried to walk on grass or gravel I’d almost fall over. I’d really had to catch my balance. Walking on just plain old flat sidewalk….the backaches I got. The lower center of my back was so painful. If it weren’t for the fact I’m a diabetic I would have rather walked barefooted outside than wear those lousy shoes. I bought them to help me tone up and lose weight….help my diabetes by exercising more. Massey’s I hope you read this. You gave me such a hard time over those shoes!

Denessa

I want to know how they are going to know i bought a pair…..Did we need to keep the receipt from 3 yrs ago? I hated my shoes as well….but tried to give them a chance….